KUALA LUMPUR: The Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill, also known as tobacco generational endgame (GEG) law, aimed at snuffing smoking habit and protecting the health of Malaysians, was tabled at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Tabled for the first reading by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, the law will apply to those born in 2007 onwards, and not 2005 as initially proposed.
It would allow sufficient time for community education, solid implementation plan and enforcement.
"The second reading (debate) and third reading will be done in this meeting," he said.
If passed, Malaysia will not only ban smoking but also prohibit the ownership of tobacco and vape products by those born after 2007.
Earlier, Khairy, in a tweet, said Malaysia is the second country to do so after New Zealand tabled a similar bill for first reading on Tuesday.
"The Generational Endgame (GEG) is starting. Sokong #GEG," he tweeted today.
Khairy has been pushing for the Bill, with the aim of making Malaysia a tobacco-free country by 2040.
It was reported that cigarette smoking would cost the government RM8 billion to treat lung cancer, heart problems and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by 2030.
In New Zealand, the GEG bill secured a bipartisan support and will now be reviewed by the Health Select Committee, that would involve members of parliament (MP) hearing opinions from experts and public submissions.
However, the bill only targets to prohibit the sale of smoked tobacco products to those born in 2009 and later. Vaping still remains legal.
The bill, that is expected to take effect in 2023, is part of New Zealand's plan to reduce daily smoking rates to less than 5 percent across all population groups by 2025.